Dave1980

Morning All

I currently have a new car with a towbar and am looking to get a trailer for towing a car to trackdays. As i passed in July 1997 i dont have a section on my licence for towing a trailer.

How do i get one as the DVLA site seems to go round and round in circles and not really say.

Presume there is another test.

Cheers
Dave

Rescue Dude

iTrader: (11)

This any help?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/motoring...les/dg_4022521

Dave1980

Did have a look at that one before, still a bit vague, by the time you get through it all you are still none the wiser as it says you may need a test but then certain exceptions are made but doesnt tell you what.
Basically nobody knows on there by the looks of it!

Thanks though. (thats not in a sarcastic way either)

Probably just end up booking a test turn up and get told to carry on but they still will take my money

joey_turbo

iTrader: (26)

I've seen them doing tests near my local VOSA centre, although there is a DVLA centre very nearby. Try and call one of them local to you.

billythekid

You are ok on a "B" licence for a trailer upto 750kg so long as your total train weight is less than 4250kg. I.e the upto the 3.5 tonne "B" limit but you cant go over 750kg on the trailer in this case.

Or if your a trailer is over 750kg you can still tow it provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3500kg.

You can go above 750kg, on example 1, or over the ULW in example 2, but you will require a B+E. i,e 1500kg + 2000kg trailer = B+E.

Dave1980

Thanks, that has shed a little more light on the exceptions. Just need to work out the combined weight of car + car + trailer. It is only an mx5 so shouldnt weigh too much.

speedking

The rules about who has to take the test
You can find out if you can tow a trailer or caravan with your existing licence by clicking on the link below. If you cannot tow with your existing licence, you will need to take the test.

You don't need to take a theory test as you'll have already passed a car theory test.

Car driving licence first obtained since 1 January 1997
Drivers who passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 are required to pass an additional driving test in order to gain entitlement to category B+E.

Category B: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM and with up to eight passenger seats
Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM

Category B+E: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM towing trailers over 750kgs MAM
Category B+E allows vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM to be combined with trailers in excess of 750kgs MAM. In order to gain this entitlement new category B licence holders have to pass a further practical test for category B+E. There is no category B+E theory test.

Seems simple enough to me

steve ex vauxhall

iTrader: (5)

As above, if you passed in July 1997 you DO NOT have a licence to pull a trailer.
You need to take and pass a B+E test.

Jimbob

iTrader: (13)

If in doubt take your test, as that covers you if you wanted to carry more on the trailer, and will teach you best practice with towing and road positions.
And saves getting any hassle from the plod, as they would throw the book at you if you were over weight.

billythekid

Yes he does!
As said, 750kg trailer on any vehicle upto 3500kg giving combo GW of 4250kg or upto 3500kg GTW so long as the trailer plated weight is not over that of the tow car.

The rules change again next year...

speedking

The kerb weight of a standard MX-5 is a ton, so it is very unlikely that even a lightweight track car + trailer would be <750kg. Therefore I assumed B+E is necessary.